California cannabis rules for visitors (2026)
Updated 2026-09-21 · Adult-use + medical · 21+
Possession and purchase limits
Adults 21+ may generally purchase up to 28.5 grams of flower and 8 grams of concentrate per day, including concentrate inside edibles, vapes, and tinctures. Medical patients with a valid recommendation may have higher limits. Always confirm current Department of Cannabis Control rules before you shop.
If you are visiting
Visitors 21+ with a valid government photo ID may buy from licensed retailers. You cannot fly with cannabis, including domestic flights. Do not take cannabis out of California. Consuming in public or in a vehicle is not legal.
Regulator: Department of Cannabis Control. Verify a license: https://search.cannabis.ca.gov/.
Questions people actually ask
Can tourists buy cannabis in California?
Yes, if you are 21 or older and present a valid government photo ID at a licensed retailer. California does not require state residency for adult-use purchases. You still cannot take cannabis through airport security or across state lines.
Source: https://cannabis.ca.gov/
What ID does a California dispensary accept?
Licensed shops scan a government photo ID with a readable barcode: a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Paper IDs and expired cards are usually refused. The clerk, not the website, makes the final call.
What are California’s daily purchase limits?
For adult-use customers the statewide daily cap is 28.5 grams of flower and 8 grams of concentrate. Medical patients with a physician’s recommendation may purchase more. Limits are set by the state, not by an individual shop.
Source: https://cannabis.ca.gov/